Integrated Additive Manufacturing Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus (200) configured for dispensing a composition (111) comprises at least one inlet (251) configured for receiving a composition (111); at least one outlet (252) configured for dispensing the composition (111); at least one directional flow valve (250) located between the at least one inlet (251) and the at least one outlet (252); and at least one regulating module (260) in fluid communication with a respective directional flow valve (250), wherein the at least one regulating module (260) is configured to control and/or regulate flow of the composition (111) to at least one outlet (252).

1 . A dispensing apparatus configured for dispensing a pharmaceutical composition, the dispensing apparatus comprising:
 at least one inlet configured for receiving a pharmaceutical composition;   at least one outlet configured for dispensing the composition;   at least one directional flow valve located between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet; and   at least one regulating module in fluid communication with a respective directional flow valve, wherein the at least one regulating module is configured to control and/or regulate flow of the composition to at least one outlet.   
     
     
         2 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulating module is a volumetric regulating module. 
     
     
         3 . A dispensing apparatus configured for dispensing a pharmaceutical composition, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one inlet configured for receiving a pharmaceutical composition;   at least one outlet configured for dispensing the composition;   at least one volumetric regulating module configured to control and/or regulate flow of the composition to at least one outlet in a volumetric manner.   
     
     
         4 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one directional flow valve located between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, and wherein the at least one volumetric regulating module is in fluid communication with a respective directional flow valve. 
     
     
         5 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inlet is arranged to be in fluid communication with a delivery apparatus configured to deliver the composition in a molten state. 
     
     
         6 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the delivery apparatus comprises an extrusion apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet is arranged to be in fluid communication with a printing apparatus or part thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one directional flow valve is configured to control a flow path of the composition between the/an inlet and the/an outlet. 
     
     
         9 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the/each directional flow valve has a plurality of configurations, wherein the/each directional flow valve has a first or “feed” configuration configured to allow flow of the composition from the inlet or from a respective inlet to the regulating module or to a respective regulating module; and a second or “dispense” configuration configured to allow flow of the composition from the regulating module or from a respective regulating module to the outlet or to a respective outlet. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the/each directional flow valve has a third or “recirculation” configuration configured to allow flow of the composition from the/an inlet to a recirculation outlet, the recirculation outlet being configured to be in fluid communication with or to be associated with a feeding inlet of the delivery apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the/each directional flow valve has a fourth or “discharge” configuration configured to allow flow of the composition from the inlet to a discharge port. 
     
     
         13 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the/each directional flow valve has a fifth or “closed” configuration configured to prevent flow of the composition within the dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the/each regulating module comprises a chamber configured to receive the composition, wherein the chamber has a chamber inlet in fluid communication with a respective directional flow valve. 
     
     
         15 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the/each regulating module comprises a regulation actuator configured to actuate filling of the chamber with the composition and/or dispensing of the composition from the chamber. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the/each regulating module comprises one or more pressure sensors and/or temperature sensors. 
     
     
         18 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the/each regulating module comprises at least one positioning sensor configured to detect the configuration of the regulation module and/or the position of the regulation actuator. 
     
     
         19 . A dispensing apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises and/or is associated with analytical means to monitor and/or analyse one or more parameters of the composition. 
     
     
         20 . A system for manufacturing a solid pharmaceutical dose form, the system comprising:
 at least one delivery apparatus configured to deliver a pharmaceutical composition;   at least one printing apparatus and/or part thereof; and   at least one dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1  provided between the at least one delivery apparatus and the at least one printing apparatus or part thereof.   
     
     
         21 . A method of dispending a pharmaceutical composition, the method comprising:
 receiving a pharmaceutical composition from at least one inlet to at least one regulating module via at least one directional flow valve; and   dispensing the composition from the at least one regulating module to at least one outlet via the at least one directional flow valve.   
     
     
         22 . A method of dispending a pharmaceutical composition, the method comprising:
 receiving a composition from at least one inlet to at least one volumetric regulating module; and   dispensing the composition from the at least one volumetric regulating module to at least one outlet in a volumetric manner.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled)